DLC stands for "Downloadable Content," which is basically any form of add-on content to a game, whether it be whole new levels and maps, skins, weapons, music tracks (for music games), playable characters (fighting games), etc. Some of it's free, but most of it costs money.
Over the past five years that trend has been for core game prices to drop more quickly as developers try to recoup the money by issuing DLC, much of it ready to release the same day the game launches. What's especially disturbing is the prices that can sometimes exceed, when combined, the original cost of the game, but while not offering more content than the original game.

When developers say that they "worked closely with Sony" in developing the PS4, it's not like their first priority is a machine with Supermega Graphical Ultra PowerZ. First and foremost, developers want a machine that lets them keep costs down and gives them more room for error. Games will be made faster, cheaper, and with far less optimization. Welcome to the world of PC gaming!

We'll still see the usual suspects that push the tech to its limits and can afford to spend the time and money to optimize code, but those games will be few and far between.

When developers say that they "worked closely with Sony" in developing the PS4, it's not like their first priority is a machine with Supermega Graphical Ultra PowerZ. First and foremost, developers want a machine that lets them keep costs down and gives them more room for error. Games will be made faster, cheaper, and with far less optimization. Welcome to the world of PC gaming!

We'll still see the usual suspects that push the tech to its limits and can afford to spend the time and money to optimize code, but those games will be few and far between.

The quality of the games will speak for itself in the end. If they can make something incredible with sloppy code, then so be it.

The quality of the games will speak for itself in the end. If they can make something incredible with sloppy code, then so be it.

Indeed. But IMO "quality" has almost nothing to do with expensive development or high-end technology.

For example, a game like Super Meat Boy (which cost relatively little to make and requires only modest technology) is of far superior quality to a game like Assassin's Creed 3 (which cost tens of millions to make and requires more technological muscle than current consoles can handle). SMB is more visually polished and impressive, more bug free, has tighter mechanics and level design, and, hell, even the story makes more sense.

It's the big boys that are more likely to skimp on optimization than the little guys. Keep it simple, I say!

DLC stands for "Downloadable Content," which is basically any form of add-on content to a game, whether it be whole new levels and maps, skins, weapons, music tracks (for music games), playable characters (fighting games), etc. Some of it's free, but most of it costs money.
Over the past five years that trend has been for core game prices to drop more quickly as developers try to recoup the money by issuing DLC, much of it ready to release the same day the game launches. What's especially disturbing is the prices that can sometimes exceed, when combined, the original cost of the game, but while not offering more content than the original game.

Thanks Zookster.

I usually just play the game when I can and never found the need to buy an extras.

Is it possible that that "speaker" is actually a mic and that the jack on the bottom is a headphone jack? That would allow any pair of headphones/earbuds to be used without needing to invest in a full blown gaming headset. Possible?

It'll be amazing if the super low price happens, even though the report still said it would cost more than 40K yen. Hopefully we find out on the 20th instead of E3. In fact, if you guys are right and there is a $400 option without a forced subscription, to celebrate I'll give you each my two remaining 1-month PS+ codes.